Board Prep Resources for Ophthalmology Residents

The American Board of Ophthalmology Website

Did you know that not all of the BCSC series is included in the Written Qualifying Exam? Did you know that ABO publishes the proportion of questions that relate to a subject area? Did you know that there is an online tutorial to help you get used to the software used to administer the test? The answers to these questions and helpful resources are available on the ABO’s website. We recommend carefully reviewing the information on the website.

Make It Stick: The Science of Successful Learning

By Peter C. Brown and Henry L. Roediger III
336 pages, 2014
$29

From the publishers: “Many common study habits and practice routines turn out to be counterproductive. Underlining and highlighting, rereading, cramming, and single-minded repetition of new skills create the illusion of mastery, but gains fade quickly. More complex and durable learning come from self-testing, introducing certain difficulties in practice, waiting to re-study new material until a little forgetting has set in, and interleaving the practice of one skill or topic with another. Speaking most urgently to students, teachers, trainers, and athletes, Make It Stick will appeal to all those interested in the challenge of lifelong learning and self-improvement."

There are numerous books that are helpful for preparation for the examinations and this list is by no means exhaustive. This section highlights those that are designed for a comprehensive review of ophthalmology.

Preferred Practice Patterns

From the American Academy of Ophthalmology
Free

These include best practice recommendations for key clinical settings. They may be particularly helpful in mastering the best practice management answers for case-based questions.  

Review of Ophthalmology, Third Edition

By Neil J. Friedman, Peter K. Kaiser, and Bill Tratter
432 pages, 2017
$84.99

This popular review book covers key topics in “concise, bulleted format” with numerous images and accompanying questions.  

Eyes For Ears

Free
An OKAP review podcast for residents.

These books present clinical vignettes similar to those that are presented on the oral board examinations. They are designed to be practiced in interactive fashion.

Ophthalmology Clinical Vignettes Oral Board Study Guide II – 2015

By John D. Pemberton, Anthony Daniels, Aaron Fay
280 pages
$199.99

Organized by six subject areas covered in the oral board examinations, this book offers 113 clinical vignettes with color photographs and responses.  

Case Reviews in Ophthalmology 2nd Edition

By Neil J. Friedman MD, Peter K. Kaiser MD
2017, 352 pages
$74.99

This book offers 140 clinical cases, also organized in the 6 subject areas in the oral board examination. The cases include clinical photographs, diagnostic tests, questions, and answers.  

Ophthalmology Oral Board Review First Edition

By Dr. Damien M Luviano
2018, 232 pages
$99.99

This book includes 65 cases with a historical vignette, photographs, and is designed for practice role-playing with two study partners.  

BCSC Self-Assessment Program

Developed by the Academy, this question bank provides 2,600+ (and growing) questions with answers and discussion that are directly tied to BCSC content. Offers timed tests, excerpts from the BCSC, reports on individual performance across sections and chapters of the BCSC, as well as peer comparison statistics and more.  

OphthoQuestions

$259.99 for 6 months and $289.99 for 12 months with $186.99 “add on” for premium questions

This popular question bank offers 4000+ multiple choice questions and comparative metrics.  

Review Questions in Ophthalmology Third Edition

By Kenneth C. Chern and Michael A. Saidel
2015, 560 pages
$134.99

This book with 1,000+ multiple choice questions with images has an online version that is available with the purchase of the book.  

The in-person courses fall into 3 categories: Mock oral examinations with coaching, concentrated review lectures, and both. The courses with oral examinations are frequently scheduled to occur immediately before the oral examinations. They are costly, but some have affirmed their value in reducing anxiety for the examinations by providing simulated practice examinations.

The Osler Institute Ophthalmology Review Courses

Offers mock oral course near the time of the scheduled oral board examinations.

San Antonio Ophthalmology Course

This annual course offers a 5 day review course with a mock oral session following the course for an additional fee. The course is $400 for civilians.

The University of Colorado Mock Oral Boards

Cost: $500
This course is a half-day, with six 30-minute sessions that simulate the experience of the oral board examination. An opportunity to review performance is provided at the end of the examination.